“Stop Sinning” Pt 5:
Many people want to turn their lives around and become a better person. They find it difficult or maybe even impossible because they either don’t know how or believe the turnaround is more than they can do. Let’s consider the word “repentance.” Repentance is more than being sorry for something you did. Repentance is reviewing a personal action and feeling contrition or regret for past or present actions. Repentance is more than sorrow; it’s a desire to change your behavior and never do certain acts again. Repentance is accompanied by a commitment to actual actions that show and prove a change in a person’s life.
Reading self-help books, going to seminars, or attempting to turn over a new leaf may help for a while, but Jesus is the One and only One who can not only forgive all sin, but literally transform a life. The Bible explains repentance as being “Born-again” or becoming a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). With this new birth comes a desire to follow Christ and become the person He meant us to be. For sure, the evil one, (Satan) will continue to attack, but protection is given when we put on the whole armor of God (read Ephesians 6:10-18).
BELT OF TRUTH: Satan fights with lies, and sometimes his lies sound like truth; but only believers have God’s truth, which defeats Satan’s lies.
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: Satan often attacks our hearts (which God says to guard- Proverbs 4:23). Our heart is the seat of our emotions, self-worth, and trust. God’s righteousness is the breastplate which protects our heart.
FOOTGEAR: Satan wants us to think that telling others about Jesus is a worthless and hopeless task. God’s footgear gives us the motivation to live and share the Good News of the gospel with others and the peace only Christ can give.
SHIELD of FAITH: Satan’s attacks come in the form of insults, setbacks, and temptations. God protects His followers with power to withstand what Satan throws at us. His shield allows us to see beyond our circumstances and know that ultimate victory is ours.
HELMET of SALVATION: One of Satan’s greatest weapons is causing us to “doubt,” When we question our relationship with Christ or feel we cannot overcome a sin, we provide a foothold for the devil allowing him control of our life. The helmet protects our minds from doubting God and remembering, “Greater is He that is within me, than he that is in the world” (I John 4:4).
GOD’S SWORD: The sword is the only weapon of offense in the list of God’s armor. There are times when we need to take the offensive against Satan. The Word of God is His sword. Reading, learning, and obeying the truths provided us in the Bible informs us that in our own strength we are no match for the evil one, but with Christ and the power of His Spirit abiding within us, not only are we victorious over him, but we’re “MORE than conquerors in Him who loves us” (Romans 8:37). Walking with and living for Jesus makes “everything new” – and good!
Pastor Carnes
